Commentaries:
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Ephesians 2:4-5
In His mercy, God fulfilled what Jesus said in John 6:44, and began to draw us. He started to bridge the gap and to give us life. We were dead because of sin, but He made us alive and began to give us light.
In this context, "life" means more than endless or eternal life. It implies a "quality" of life, for endless life is a blessing only if its quality is good. Thus, the definition of eternal life must include quality of life.
God revived us, as it were, resurrecting us from a state of spiritual death to life. He revived us, not just to give us eternal life, but to change the quality of our lives. This is a given, because why would He revive us if we are going to return to the same kind of sinful life that spiritually killed us in the first place? No, He revived us from spiritual death to make possible a different kind or level or quality of life, one that includes the ability to fellowship with Him.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Truth (Part 4)Related Topics: Eternal Life | Eternal Life as Quality of Life | Fellowship with Christ | Fellowship with God | Life After Death | Living as Christ Lives | Living as God Lives
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What Does Ephesians 2:4 Mean?
In His mercy, God fulfilled Jesus' words in John 6:44, beginning to draw us and bridge the gap. Though dead because of sin, He made us alive, reviving us from spiritual death—not merely for eternal life, but for a different quality of life that includes fellowship with Him. Though God could justly have destroyed His disobedient children, His love leads to mercy and compassion for the helpless. He loves us and made our reconciliation possible. Paralleling Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, Christians share His experience spiritually. Saved by grace, whether Jew or Gentile, we are raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Represented by Him at God's throne, we share in His dignity as the bride, saved by His merciful love.